Joey Jordison Reveals He Was Afflicted With Neurological Condition Near End of Time in Slipknot

On Dec. 12, 2013, Slipknot stunned the metal world when they announced they had parted ways with founding member, drummer Joey Jordison. The band refused to detail the reasons behind the split and Jordison insisted he had not quit the band, but failed to provide any further details. The drummer took the stage at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards tonight (June 13) and revealed a severe diagnosis he received around the time of his departure from Slipknot.

“Towards my end of my career in Slipknot — and I want you all to give them praise as well," Jordison started off after thanking the crowd for supporting him throughout his career (video below, Jordison starts at 16:30 mark). "We accomplished a lot in life," he continued, "every one of them, and I wish them nothing but luck and the best of praises. What we created, in the basements of Des Moines, Iowa, will never be matched. It’s one thing that’s f--king absolutely f--king unbeatable. I love those guys very much.”

Jordison then detailed a career-threatening disorder he was faced with, stating, “Towards the end of my career in Slipknot I got really, really sick with a horrible disease called transverse myelitis — I lost my legs. I couldn’t play anymore. It was a form of multiple sclerosis, which I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy." Transverse myelitis is a neurological condition which causes inflammation in the spinal cord, damaging nervous fibers and dulling electrical conductivity in the central nervous system.

Explaining his personal triumph to overcome this condition, Jordison held back tears when he said, "I got myself back up, and I got myself in the gym and I got myself back in f--king therapy, to f--king beat this s--t. And, if I could do it, you could do it. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, more than f--king anything. To people with multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis or anything like that, I am living proof that you can f--king beat this s--t."

Once again thanking the crowd, Jordison finished up, "And, f--king metal and all of these fans will do it for you. This is the f--king world ride right here. Thank you so much. To my lady, Amanda!" Amidst chants and cheers, he continued, "You can beat this s--t, no joke. Just the fact that f--king metal lives in your heart, you can f--king accomplish anything.”

There has been no confirmation if this condition is what led to Slipknot and Jordison parting ways.

Jordison has resurfaced with new music in 2016 from two new bands: Vimic and Sinsaenum. Vimic's debut record Open Your Omen arriving sometime later this year on Roadrunner Records. Three songs, "Simple Skeletons," "She Sees Everything" and "My Fate" have been released thus far. Sinsaenum is a blackened death metal outfit featuring members of DragonForce, Mayhem and Daath. Their debut record, Echoes of the Tortured, will be released on July 29 through earMUSIC.

Joey Jordison Gives Speech at Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards

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